When they first released Netscape 6.0, it would place each image--even if it's the same one used over and over again--one at a time, then begin the animation once it's placed. That meant you could see three or four "laughing" smilies in a row, and their mouths wouldn't be opening and closing at exactly the same time. In a way, I kind of liked that better... made for more randomness. If I remember right, 6.01 doesn't do that.